Technology stocks got trounced in the last week as investors sold their winners and bought previous laggards. If you’re looking for new places to profit, too, here are three to consider – courtesy of top MoneyShow experts.Mike Larson MoneyShow.comIn this episode of the MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast, Nicholas Bohnsack, president and CEO of Strategas Securities, and Amy Zhang, executive vice president and portfolio manager at Alger, reveal the powerful currents driving markets in 2025.Nicholas breaks down th ...

Core Viewpoint - Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is viewed as a promising investment opportunity despite its recent stock performance, primarily due to its reliable distributions, diversified business model, and solid growth prospects. Group 1: Reliable and Growing Distributions - Brookfield Infrastructure offers a forward distribution yield of 5.67% and has a 16-year history of increasing distributions, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% [2] - The company targets an annual distribution growth rate between 5% and 9%, with a payout ratio comfortably set between 60% and 70% [3] Group 2: Diversified and Stable Underlying Business - Approximately 41% of Brookfield Infrastructure's funds from operations (FFO) are derived from its transportation businesses, which include 36,300 kilometers of rail operations and 3,300 kilometers of toll roads [6][8] - The utility operations contribute 25% of FFO, encompassing 3,500 kilometers of gas pipelines and 3,140 kilometers of electricity transmission lines [8] - The company also invests in technology and telecommunications, with assets including 28,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, 306,000 telecom towers, over 140 data centers, and two semiconductor manufacturing foundries [9] Group 3: Solid Growth Opportunities - Since 2009, Brookfield Infrastructure has achieved a CAGR of 14% in FFO per unit and anticipates continued double-digit growth in the future [10] - Key growth drivers identified by management include digitalization, decarbonization, and deglobalization, which are expected to enhance demand for data infrastructure and cleaner energy solutions [11] - The company has a capital backlog exceeding $7.9 billion, with a significant portion allocated to data infrastructure assets, reflecting the rising demand for artificial intelligence [12] - Brookfield Infrastructure also employs a strategy of selling mature assets for attractive returns, having generated approximately $2.4 billion from asset sales in the first seven months of 2025 [13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Distributable earnings before realizations increased 13% year over year to $1,300,000,000, equating to $0.80 per share for the quarter and $5,300,000,000 or $3.36 per share for the last twelve months [5][15] - Total distributable earnings including realizations were $1,400,000,000 or $0.88 per share for the quarter and $5,900,000,000 or $3.71 per share over the last twelve months, with total net income of $2,900,000,000 [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The asset management business generated distributable earnings of $650,000,000 or $0.41 per share in the quarter, and $2,700,000,000 or $1.72 per share over the last twelve months, with inflows during the quarter of $22,000,000,000 [16] - The Wealth Solutions business reported distributable operating earnings of $391,000,000 or $0.25 per share in the quarter and $1,600,000,000 or $1.02 per share over the last twelve months [17] - The operating businesses generated distributable earnings of $350,000,000 or $0.22 per share in the quarter and $1,700,000,000 or $1.07 per share over the last twelve months [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global equities hit all-time highs, credit spreads tightened dramatically, and interest rates remained largely unchanged, with expectations of potential cuts on the short end of the curve [6][7] - The company completed GBP55 billion of asset sales this year, including GBP35 billion in the quarter, generating excellent returns [8][21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on digitalization, deglobalization, and decarbonization as key themes for capital deployment, with a record $177,000,000,000 of deployable capital [8][10] - The launch of an AI infrastructure strategy is underway, aimed at developing AI factories to meet the growing demand for compute capacity [9][10] - The company plans to enhance the efficiency of its capital structure while maintaining a focus on low-risk, long-duration insurance [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the macro environment is becoming increasingly constructive, supporting increased monetizations and cash flow growth [6][8] - The company anticipates continued growth in results over the remainder of the year, with strong underlying fundamentals driving performance [25] Other Important Information - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share and approved a three-for-two stock split of the outstanding Class A limited voting shares [25] - The company announced an agreement to acquire Just Group for $3,200,000,000, expected to significantly accelerate growth in insurance assets [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth in P&C business and scaling plans - Management indicated that the focus is on low-risk liabilities, particularly in the annuity business, with potential for organic growth in P&C if competitive advantages are identified [27][28] Question: Market conditions and carried interest timing - Management stated that while market conditions are improving, the expected timing for carried interest remains broadly in line with previous plans, with significant contributions expected next year [34][36] Question: Just Group acquisition financing details - Management noted that the acquisition is subject to strict UK takeover rules, limiting the details that can be shared at this stage [40] Question: Evolution of corporate structure with insurance operations - Management emphasized that the insurance business will remain integrated into Brookfield, enhancing returns on capital and providing growth opportunities [44][46] Question: AI infrastructure strategy and investor support - Management confirmed engagement with large clients for potential cornerstone investments in the AI infrastructure strategy, aiming to mitigate technological obsolescence risk through structured investments [49][50]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Distributable earnings before realizations increased 13% year over year to $1,300,000,000, equating to $0.80 per share for the quarter and $5,300,000,000 or $3.36 per share for the last twelve months [5][15] - Total distributable earnings including realizations were $1,400,000,000 or $0.88 per share for the quarter and $5,900,000,000 or $3.71 per share over the last twelve months, with total net income of $2,900,000,000 [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The asset management business generated distributable earnings of $650,000,000 or $0.41 per share in the quarter, and $2,700,000,000 or $1.72 per share over the last twelve months [16] - Wealth Solutions business delivered distributable operating earnings of $391,000,000 or $0.25 per share in the quarter and $1,600,000,000 or $1.02 per share over the last twelve months [18] - Strong fundraising across flagship funds led to inflows of $22,000,000,000 during the quarter, including over $5,000,000,000 from retail and wealth solutions clients [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global equities hit all-time highs, credit spreads tightened dramatically, and interest rates remained largely unchanged, with expectations of potential cuts in the near future [6] - The company completed GBP55 billion of asset sales this year, including GBP35 billion in the quarter, generating excellent returns [7][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on digitalization, deglobalization, and decarbonization as key themes for capital deployment [7] - A new AI infrastructure strategy is being launched, focusing on developing AI factories to meet the growing demand for compute capacity [9] - The company plans to enhance its capital structure to support low-risk, long-duration insurance operations, indicating a shift towards integrating insurance with investment strategies [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the macro environment is becoming increasingly constructive, supporting increased monetizations and strong demand for high-quality assets [6][7] - The company anticipates continued growth in financial results over the remainder of the year, supported by strong underlying fundamentals [27] Other Important Information - The company announced an agreement to acquire Just Group for $3,200,000,000, which is expected to significantly accelerate growth in the insurance business [19] - A quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share was declared, and a three-for-two stock split of Class A limited voting shares was approved [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Growth in P&C business and scaling plans - Management indicated that the focus is on low-risk liabilities, particularly in the annuity business, with potential for organic growth in P&C if competitive advantages are identified [29][30] Question: Market conditions and carried interest - Management noted that while market conditions are improving, the timing of carried interest realization remains broadly in line with previous expectations, with significant contributions expected next year [35][36] Question: Just Group acquisition financing - Management stated that details on the financing facility for the Just Group acquisition are limited due to UK takeover rules, but it is a public to private transaction [40] Question: AI infrastructure strategy and investor support - Management confirmed that they are engaging with large shareholders for potential cornerstone investments in the new AI infrastructure strategy [48] Question: Wealth Solutions business spread and cash distributions - Management clarified that the spread remains consistent with previous quarters, and the reduction in cash distributions is primarily due to one-time income from the residential land and housing business last year [56][57]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee related earnings increased by 16% to $676 million, while distributable earnings rose by 12% to $613 million [8][34] - Fee bearing capital reached $563 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase [8][34] - The company raised $22 billion in capital during the quarter and $97 billion over the past twelve months [8][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In renewable power and transition, $1.5 billion was raised, contributing to a total of over $15 billion for the world's largest energy transition strategy [37] - Infrastructure fundraising totaled $1.7 billion, with significant contributions from the Super Core infrastructure strategy [37] - Real estate strategies raised $1.8 billion, including $500 million for the fifth vintage of the flagship real estate strategy [38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a robust recovery in the real estate market, with deployment in real estate up 2x and monetization activity up 4x compared to the previous year [72] - The demand for high-quality assets and businesses has significantly increased, evidenced by over $55 billion in announced asset sales generating $33 billion in equity proceeds [21][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term mission-critical investments in infrastructure, renewable power, and essential services, driven by themes of digitalization, decarbonization, and deglobalization [9][10] - The company is developing next-generation AI infrastructure globally, positioning itself as a partner of choice for large hyperscalers and governments [12][13] - The strategy includes expanding into the individual investor market, with a focus on private wealth and retirement channels [29][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market environment, highlighting significant liquidity and a constructive backdrop for M&A activity [8][9] - The company anticipates continued strong fundraising and investment activity, with a robust pipeline of opportunities [32][34] - Management emphasized the importance of product quality and durability in capturing the growing individual investor market [52][69] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of 43.75 cents per share, payable to shareholders of record as of August 29 [43] - The company is prioritizing its inclusion in U.S. equity indices, having been added to the Russell 1000 Index [42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fundraising environment and outlook - Management characterized the fundraising environment as incredibly robust, expecting this year to surpass last year's capital raised [46][48] Question: Access to the broader retirement market - Management highlighted the importance of product offerings and brand strength in capturing growth in the retirement market [51][53] Question: Insurance growth area and Just acquisition - The Just Group acquisition is expected to enhance the company's footprint in the UK retirement market, adding stable fee-bearing capital [56][57] Question: Real estate market outlook - Management noted a robust recovery in the real estate sector, with significant deployment and monetization activity [72][74] Question: Expense outlook and margin expansion - Management indicated that expense growth is expected to stabilize around 10%, with potential for FRE margin expansion in the future [78][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee related earnings increased by 16% to $676 million, while distributable earnings rose by 12% to $613 million [8][34] - Capital raised in the quarter totaled $22 billion, with a total of $97 billion raised over the past twelve months, driving fee bearing capital to $563 billion, a 10% increase year over year [8][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure business saw major transactions totaling over $30 billion in enterprise value, including significant acquisitions like Colonial Pipeline and Duke Energy Florida [21][22] - Real estate monetization activity increased significantly, with $15 billion in sales across various sectors, including senior housing and hospitality [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fundraising environment is described as robust, with a notable increase in capital raised in Europe and a strong performance in complementary strategies [48] - The demand for high-quality assets is reflected in the significant increase in monetization activity, with over $55 billion in asset sales announced year to date [22][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term investment themes of digitalization, decarbonization, and deglobalization, particularly in AI infrastructure and renewable energy [10][43] - Strategic partnerships have been formed, including a $10 billion public-private investment program with the Swedish government and a renewable energy agreement with Google [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the current market environment, highlighting strong demand for mission-critical assets and the ability to deploy capital effectively [15][33] - The company anticipates continued growth in fundraising and investment activity, supported by a robust pipeline and favorable market conditions [33][34] Other Important Information - The company is expanding its private wealth and retirement platform, Brookfield Wealth, aiming to raise over $30 billion in capital this year [30] - A quarterly dividend of 43.75¢ per share was declared, payable to shareholders of record as of August 29 [42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fundraising backdrop and expectations for 2026 - Management characterized the fundraising environment as incredibly robust, expecting this year to surpass last year's fundraising totals [46][48] Question: Access to the broader retirement market - Management emphasized that success will depend on having the right products to meet investor needs, with a focus on real assets that provide stable cash flows [50][53] Question: Growth in the U.S. retail channel and Just acquisition - The Just Group acquisition is expected to add stable fee-bearing capital, enhancing the company's footprint in the UK retirement market [56][57] Question: Real estate market outlook - Deployment in real estate has doubled year to date, with a robust recovery in the capital markets supporting high-quality platforms [73][75] Question: Expense outlook and margin expansion - Management expects expenses to grow around 10% year over year, with a focus on building capabilities in various areas [78][80]

Core Insights - Brookfield Asset Management reported strong financial results for Q2 2025, with fee-related earnings increasing by 16% year-over-year and distributable earnings up by 12% [2][3][10] - The company has announced over $55 billion in asset sales to date in 2025, reflecting robust demand in sectors where it holds leadership positions [3][20] - Significant fundraising activities were highlighted, with $22 billion raised in the quarter and $97 billion over the last twelve months, indicating strong capital inflows [2][11] Financial Performance - Fee-related earnings (FRE) for Q2 2025 reached $676 million, or $0.42 per share, compared to $583 million, or $0.36 per share, in Q2 2024 [4][10] - Distributable earnings (DE) for the quarter were $613 million, or $0.38 per share, up from $548 million, or $0.34 per share, in the prior year [6][10] - Net income attributable to Brookfield Asset Management was $620 million for the quarter, a 25% increase from $495 million in Q2 2024 [6][24] Asset Management and Fundraising - Fee-bearing capital increased by 10% to $563 billion over the last twelve months, driven by strong capital raising and market recovery [8][9] - The company raised $22 billion in Q2 2025, with nearly 70% coming from complementary strategies [11] - Notable fundraising included $1.5 billion in renewable power, $1.7 billion in infrastructure, $1.3 billion in private equity, and $1.8 billion in real estate [13] Asset Sales and Investments - Brookfield has sold $12 billion in real estate assets, $9.5 billion in infrastructure assets, and $5.8 billion in renewable power assets in 2025 [20] - Recent transactions included significant sales such as Aveo Group for $2.4 billion and a U.S. hydropower portfolio for $5.8 billion [20] - The company also announced a partnership with Google for a hydroelectric capacity project and an investment in Sweden for digital infrastructure [12][21] Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4375 per share, payable on September 29, 2025 [7] - The increase in net income and earnings per share reflects the company's commitment to delivering value to shareholders [6][10]

Market Outlook & Investment Themes - The bull market is expected to continue, driven by a broadening beyond just AI into deglobalization, longevity, and deregulation, all interacting and accelerating simultaneously [2] - The market is forward-thinking, and opportunities exist for investors who may have missed the initial AI-driven gains [4] - A diversified portfolio is recommended to capitalize on these themes, including sectors like materials and industrials, which benefit from deglobalization and increased defense spending [7] AI & Technological Advancements - The current phase is likened to a "candlesticks to light bulbs" moment, emphasizing the ability to scale, implement, and download AI technology to produce earnings power across various business models [5] - The focus is shifting towards tangible returns on significant capital expenditures in AI, with confidence that these returns will materialize [5] - AI is seen as a cost-saving and productivity-enhancing engine that will continue to lead the market [4] Interest Rates & Monetary Policy - Interest rates are anticipated to decrease, potentially impacting investors overweight in cash, who may experience a "pay cut" [10] - The market typically anticipates interest rate changes 6 to 12 months in advance [11] - Morgan Stanley's interest rate team projects a couple of rate cuts this year plus five more next year, contingent on data [12] Sector Opportunities - Utilities and power companies, traditionally valued for dividends and defensive characteristics, are emerging as new growth stocks [14] - Industrials are highlighted as a strong performing sector with continued potential [8] - Investing in sectors with quantifiable merit and opportunistic potential is encouraged, even if not completely proven [9]

De-dollarization Trend - JPMC承认“去美元化”已成为投资者、企业和市场参与者讨论的重要议题 [1] - 随着美国去全球化，全球去美元化趋势显现 [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call on Global Semiconductors and Semiconductor Capital Equipment Industry Overview - The focus is on the **Global Semiconductor Capital Equipment** industry, particularly the implications of potential changes in U.S. export controls affecting shipments to China [1][2][3]. Core Insights and Arguments - **Export Control Waivers**: Since October 2022, U.S. semiconductor capital equipment (semicap) companies have faced increasing restrictions on shipments to China. Non-Chinese customers with fabs in China have been receiving waivers, but the U.S. Commerce Department is considering canceling these waivers, which would require licenses for shipments [2][3]. - **Impact on Multinational Companies**: Major multinationals with significant capacity in China include **Samsung**, **SK hynix**, **TSMC**, and **UMC**. For instance, SK hynix has 35% of its DRAM capacity in China, while Samsung has 30% of its NAND capacity there [4][5]. - **WFE Spending**: The total WFE (Wafer Fabrication Equipment) spending by non-Chinese companies in China is projected to be around **$2 billion** in 2024, which is only about **4%** of the total WFE deployed in China and less than **2%** of the global WFE market estimated at **$108 billion** [5][6][33][37]. - **Memory Chip Exposure**: Memory chips are seen as the most exposed segment, with China-based fabs accounting for **10%** of global DRAM and **15%** of NAND capacity. However, case-by-case approvals for licenses may mitigate immediate impacts [6][39]. Additional Important Insights - **Deglobalization Trends**: Japanese semiconductor capital equipment companies are expected to benefit from deglobalization trends, as they can serve both U.S. and Chinese markets. Companies like **Tokyo Electron** and **Kokusai** may gain from increased demand for etching and deposition equipment [7]. - **Investment Implications**: - **AMAT (Applied Materials)**: Rated as Outperform with a target price of **$210.00**, driven by secular WFE growth and capital return strategies [10]. - **LRCX (Lam Research)**: Also rated Outperform with a target of **$95.00**, supported by a potential NAND upgrade cycle [10]. - **Tokyo Electron**: Rated Outperform with a target of **¥33,800**, expected to gain market share due to competitive pricing [11]. - **ASML**: Rated Market-Perform with a target of **€700.00**, reflecting a cautious outlook on growth relative to consensus estimates [14]. - **Domestic Chinese Companies**: Companies like **NAURA**, **AMEC**, and **Piotech** are rated Outperform, benefiting from domestic WFE substitution trends in China [15][16][17]. Conclusion - The semiconductor capital equipment industry is facing significant regulatory changes that could impact multinational companies operating in China. While immediate effects may be limited, the long-term implications of export controls and deglobalization trends will shape the competitive landscape. Investment opportunities exist in both established players and emerging domestic companies in China.